Rod Stewart Secretly Battled Prostate Cancer for Three Years
Rock icon Rod Stewart revealed he’s beaten prostate cancer after secretly battling the disease for three years.
The 74-year-old opened up at a fundraiser event, telling the audience he was diagnosed in 2016 after a routine appointment.
“No one knows this, but I thought this was about time I told everybody,” Stewart told the audience. “I’m in the clear now, simply because I caught it early. I have so many tests. Guys, you’ve got to really go to the doctor.”
The most common prostate cancer screening test is the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Prostate cancer screening has been a very controversial topic, and last year the United States Preventive Services Task Force released new guidelines that recommend men ages 55 to 69 have a conversation with their doctor about the risks and benefits to decide if screening is right for them.
Dr. Julio Pow-Sang, chair, Department of Genitourinary Oncology.
“While prostate cancer screenings can help identify and treat the potentially life-threatening disease, some prostate cancers will stay dormant or could take decades to become a problem,” said Dr. Julio Pow-Sang, chair of Moffitt Cancer Center’s Genitourinary Oncology Program. “These cases do not need to be treated and men could have side effects from treatment such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. There are also the psychological effects associated with a false positive test, as over half of men who undergo a biopsy for an elevated PSA prove negative for cancer.”
Pow-Sang recommends that men should take charge of their health and become well informed regarding the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening. Learn more about the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Urological Association and American Cancer Society guidelines.
The early warning signs for prostate cancer can vary, but in general it’s important for a man to seek medical attention for any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Difficulty emptying the bladder completely
- Pain or burning sensations during urination
- Blood in the urine
- Persistent pain in the lower back, pelvis or hips
- Painful ejaculation
